While its signature event remains the Boston Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association manages a comprehensive, year-round schedule of events that advances its mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging fitness through running.

The fifth annual B.A.A. Half Marathon® took place on Sunday, October 9, 2005 and boasted nearly 4,500 entrants. Prize money in the amount of $30,000 was distributed to the top 10 runners overall, the top three in the masters division, the top three in the push rim wheelchair division, and top teams. The race course showcased the beauty of Boston's Emerald Necklace park system in the grandeur of the fall season.

The event benefited the Emerald Necklace parks and neighboring communities, as a portion of race entry fees was donated to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for maintenance and preservation of the treasured Boston landmark. The 2005 race was presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund. The sixth annual B.A.A. Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 8, 2005.

In January, the Boston Athletic Association submitted its bid to host the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Representatives of USA Track & Field’s long distance running committee will determine which city and organization will play host to the Trials. "It would be an honor to host the 2008 U.S. Marathon Trials in Boston, home to the oldest and one of the most prestigious annual marathons in the world," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

The B.A.A. also supports children’s health and fitness by sponsoring kids running programs that include recreational running in the spring (Club 110 and B.A.A. Relay Challenge); cross country in the fall (with Boston Public Schools and the Boston Center for Youth and Families); and a presentation of indoor track and field – including clinics – during the winter. Since the B.A.A. renewed its commitment to kids running in 1997, more than 14,500 kids have experienced the inspiration and excitement of a B.A.A. program. In 2006, this program and dimension of the organization continues its mission.

Also, the B.A.A. and adidas sponsored and helped in the presentation of the Mayor's Cup Cross Country Races at Franklin Park for the ninth consecutive year. The B.A.A.’s own Jarrod Shoemaker captured the men’s title, while former Providence standout Kim Smith was the women’s champ. In all, 756 runners finished the men’s 8K, women’s 5K, open 5K, girls 1.1-mile, and boys 1.1-mile races. The 17th Mayor’s Cup races will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2006.

The B.A.A. Running Club, meanwhile, continues the organization’s presence on a consistent basis nearly every weekend throughout the year. As a team, the B.A.A. is a perennial contender at major New England road races, indoor and outdoor track meets, and cross country events. In 2005, the club’s open men’s and women’s teams both won the team competition at the B.A.A. Half Marathon, while the men’s open team won the Mayor’s Cup Cross Country title by a single point and the women placed second—just one point behind first. In addition, the men’s open team was third at the Boston Marathon, and the women placed second while the men placed fifth at the USATF Club Cross Country Nationals.

Individually, the club boasts a number of regional champions who have participated in national and international competitions. With an active membership in excess of 300 runners, nearly one-third compete in the Boston Marathon. Four athletes representing the B.A.A. qualified for and participated in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials wearing the club uniform (Cathi Campbell, Mimi Corcoran, Brett Romano, and Diana Bowser). Emily LeVan, the top U.S. woman at the 2005 Boston Marathon, was selected to compete on the U.S. team at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, where she placed 35th in a personal-best time of 2:38:32.

Through the B.A.A. Charity Program for the 109th Boston Marathon, approximately 1,100 runners representing 15 organizations raised more than $7.5 million for worthwhile causes. Since the charity program was formalized in 1994, Boston Marathon participants have raised more than $54 million for a variety of charitable organizations. The program continues in 2006 with 18 official charities, including six new additions.

Similarly, the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk® in the fall has emerged as one of Boston's most successful fundraising ventures. Since 1989, the B.A.A. has helped to host the Walk on its legendary Marathon course. The 2005 Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk raised more than $4 million, with approximately 6,000 walkers taking the challenge from one of three starting locations: full marathon from Hopkinton; half marathon from Wellesley; and three miles from Harvard Medical School in the Longwood medical area. Participants in the walk have raised more than $35 million for the Jimmy Fund over the 16-year history of the event. The 2006 Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk will be held on Sunday, September 17.